The Bad Boy Records boss is a big fan of the hit U.S. TV series and was introduced to castmember McBrayer via his pal Morgan in 2008.

The meeting led Combs to extend an invitation to McBrayer for his party last year (08) - and the funnyman was the first person through the door.

He says, "We have met a few times through my good friend Tracy Morgan.

"I went (to his birthday party) last year and it started at 10 so I thought I'd be fashionably late and I turned up at 11.30 - and I was the first joker there!"

McBrayer decided to show his appreciation by sending a piece of 30 Rock memorabilia to Combs as a birthday gift - a doll of his own character Kenneth Parcell.

He explains, "After the party last year I sent a Kenneth Parcell bobble head doll. Well what would you get for someone who literally has everything?"

But the actor's gift must have gone down well with Combs - he was among the lucky stars to get a repeat invite to the rapper's extravagant $3 million (£1.88 million) 40th birthday bash in New York last week (ends20Nov09) - although he's yet to organise a present: "This year I haven't sent a gift yet..."